Campaigns

As public workers, SEIU 721 members understand the importance of the state budget in funding critical services we provide our communities. Last week, the 2015-16 California state budget hearings began and SEIU members/Eligibility Workers went to Sacramento to make sure the voices of people relying on Medi-Cal health services were heard at the Health and Human Services hearings.

More information about these candidates will be sent to member/voters in advance to the March and April elections. There will also be other COPE town halls for upcoming local races to be held this spring-please stay involved and vote!

The 2014 elections were just last month but already SEIU 721 COPE has begun hosting endorsement town halls for the 2015 races. Next year, more than 15 cities and special districts where SEIU 721 members work and live will have elections.

Candidates and ballot measures supported by 721 members did very well on the November 4th election: 79% of the endorsed candidates and ballot measures won and we won in 84% in the races that we represent workers!

I'm an immigrant from El Salvador whose family came to the United States for a brighter future. My father's most valued liberty was the right to vote. He instilled in all of us the importance and responsibility of voting.

Gregg Fritchle, SEIU 721 member and endorsed candidate for 55th Assembly District is looking for some volunteers for his campaign.

The Los Angeles County Democratic Party has set up an online phone bank for his campaign. You can volunteer and make a few phone calls to voters in the 55th District from the comfort of your home by clicking on this link: Phonebank for Greg

Greg is a Los Angeles County Social Worker, a long-time SEIU Local 721 and legacy Local 535 steward and bargaining team member. Gregg has fought for manageable workloads for child social services and social worker caseloads.

Some people say that when there's low voter turnout that people must be happy with how current city/county/state/federal leaders are doing things. Other people say that low voter turnout is because people think their vote doesn't matter. But in reality, people don't vote because they think their vote doesn't matter but by not voting you may be giving your vote to a candidate or cause you do not endorse.

UPDATE: Oct. 1, 2014 - Priya Mathur and Theresa Taylor, SEIU endorsed candidates for the CalPERS board, both won clear majorities, avoiding runoff. Mathur won 56.2% of the vote to represent Local Agency members and Taylor received 54.6% of the vote to represent State members. Congratulations to both.

Protesters in Murrieta, California are intimidating and scaring children fleeing violence in Central America. That's why SEIU locals in California are launching a week of action. We want to bring attention to this humanitarian crisis. We must put the children ahead of partisan politics.

David Green has been an L.A. County Children's Social Worker for more than 13 years. He needs your vote for his reelection to the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA) Board of Investments.

With the primary over, COPE will be hosting a couple of more town halls to give SEIU 721 members the opportunity to hear from candidates in the previously "unendorsed" races. The winner of each of these races has the potential to be in office from 8-12 years, so it is critical that members ask them questions on the issues we are most concerned.